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Pretty obviously inspired by the Halloween movie thread going on in Geek Media right now.

So most years I'll opt for going out on Halloween, and getting rip-roariously rat-faced while dressed in what I can only describe as 'not-at-all-spooky cosplay barely masquerading as a costume'.
However, on years where that's not a good idea - for example, it falls midweek, or there's a freakin' virus going round - I'll have a night of themed horror gaming, instead.

For the first time I did this, and given it had not long been released, I used Doom 3 - followed as time went on by the likes of System Shock 2, Clive Barker's Undying, Alien Isolation, and a special one-off run through of Thief 3's Cradle (*shudder*). This year, I've got Doom Eternal plus a few spooky tracks set up ready for Beat Saber.

Anyone else do this? What games do you play, or have I inspired you to dust something off for this year?

I’ve always been dreadful with horror games. Tried a one-night marathon of the first FNaF game when it was released, but the tension of avoiding the jumpscares was too much for me.

Might spend the night on Killing Floor. It has horror-themed stuff with zombies, but it’s not outright scary.

Oh by the way, Silent Hill 4 is also on GOG if anyone wants a recommend. I think the first part of Dark Deception is free too.

Sounds like horror games are not much fun for you... but great fun for any witnesses.
I wasn't aware of Dark Deception before - in graphics and art-style terms it looks great, but the gameplay looks more like cheap jump-scariness than anything else...? Not something I'm a fan of sadly, I prefer a slow burn of high tension.

Ha. Well, you wouldn’t be wrong. It’s pretty much Pac Man with jumpscares. A lot of frantic running away from whatever happens to be chasing you.

Slow burn is always cool too though. Got any recommends?

I'd probably go with something like Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines. Especially the Ocean House hotel level...

I did just download Doom: Eternal, as it became available on Game Pass - but I think I'm getting too old for it now. Same as the previous Doom game, I just find it too fast, too frantic. Can't keep up!

Undying...that was one scary game ! Loved it!

Any recommendations for a 4-person PS4 Halloween/horror themed game, suitable for a small nerdy party ?

 SkavenLord wrote:
Slow burn is always cool too though. Got any recommends?

Pretty much some of the ones I've mentioned previous - Alien Isolation, and Thief 3 and 4 (1 and 2 are great, but can actually feel quite fast-paced compared to modern gaming).
The tension comes from having to wait in the shadows and watch for enemies to pass, hoping they don't notice you.

Cyel wrote:
Any recommendations for a 4-person PS4 Halloween/horror themed game, suitable for a small nerdy party ?

The only multiplayer horror games I can think of full-stop are Left 4 Dead, and Vermintide... and that's online, I don't think they have local multiplayer.

DUSK would be a good game for something like this.

Maybe if I'm brave enough I'll stream Alien Isolation for my GF, but chances are I'll chicken out again when I reach that long corridor leading into medical.

If I get around to it I'll probably do something like Resident Evil 2, love that game.

 BrookM wrote:
Maybe if I'm brave enough I'll stream Alien Isolation for my GF, but chances are I'll chicken out again when I reach that long corridor leading into medical.

.

That is such a great idea

I love that game so much, but can only play it for short periods of time it is just too intense.

It took me forever to beat Isolation, as that one corridor leading into medical was just too long with no hiding spaces and the alien is at that point actively hunting for you, resulting in many an attempt at entering medical, only to quit when it got too much for me. The game has some pacing problems, along with a final act that drags on far too long, but it is still one of the better horror games I've played.

Cyel wrote:
Undying...that was one scary game ! Loved it!

Any recommendations for a 4-person PS4 Halloween/horror themed game, suitable for a small nerdy party ?

Until Dawn is great. A lot of tongue-in-cheek references to horror movie tropes like Cabin in the Woods.

Been playing Phasmophobia with some pals.

You’re a solo ghost hunter or on a team of 4 ghost hunters investigating hauntings. You have all sorts of equipment that you use to detect, repel or communicate with the spirits. Depending on how it reacts to you, you then use the evidence to determine what kind of ghost it is.

Its still early access, but its alot of scary fun with or without a group. Particularly when you realize you pissed it off.

 BrookM wrote:
It took me forever to beat Isolation, as that one corridor leading into medical was just too long with no hiding spaces and the alien is at that point actively hunting for you, resulting in many an attempt at entering medical, only to quit when it got too much for me. The game has some pacing problems, along with a final act that drags on far too long, but it is still one of the better horror games I've played.

I actually played through it again twice recently - once for VR, once to go achievement hunting. And it must be said, a lot of the pacing issues come down to the alien simply being more aggressive and forcing you to move more slowly as a result. Once you know what's coming, and can play around with throwing distractions about, using the flamethrower for "safe" exits, etc - the pacing problems disappear... but, it's much less scary as a result because it means you're starting to see the game in terms of its constituent systems and inner workings.


...anyways - I've spotted that Amnesia Rebirth was released today, and judging by first accounts, it's pretty damned good...!
I never did get round to playing the first, but might have to dive into this one soon.

 Super Ready wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
It took me forever to beat Isolation, as that one corridor leading into medical was just too long with no hiding spaces and the alien is at that point actively hunting for you, resulting in many an attempt at entering medical, only to quit when it got too much for me. The game has some pacing problems, along with a final act that drags on far too long, but it is still one of the better horror games I've played.

I actually played through it again twice recently - once for VR, once to go achievement hunting. And it must be said, a lot of the pacing issues come down to the alien simply being more aggressive and forcing you to move more slowly as a result. Once you know what's coming, and can play around with throwing distractions about, using the flamethrower for "safe" exits, etc - the pacing problems disappear... but, it's much less scary as a result because it means you're starting to see the game in terms of its constituent systems and inner workings.

I cannot imagine what that game is like with VR! I don't want to imagine!
Bloody hell it was bad enough on a TV screen.

A group of friends and I did this last year when Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan came out last year. We had intended on doing Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope this year as it comes out on the 30th but depending on the next week that might be canned. Other than that, We haven't played Phasmophobia yet and that seems good for some quick scares based on current opinion.